December 24, 2008

An ALL OUT war appears to have just broke out in New York between rapper Jim Jones and rival Jay Z. And Jim Jones won the first battle.

For weeks now popular NYC based rapper Jim Jones has been taking verbal swipes against Jay Z. But MediaTakeOut.com EXCLUSIVELY learned that on Monday, things went from verbal to physical – and unfortunately R&B singer Ne-Yo got caught up in it.

Things came to a head on Monday at NYC’s ultra-luxurious Louis Vuitton store on Fifth Avenue. MediaTakeOut.com EXCLUSIVELY learned that Jim Jones and a group of men ran into Jay Z’s best friend Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith and R&B singer Ne-Yo while doing some Christmas shopping.

Then, according to a witness who spoke EXCLUSIVELY to MediaTakeOut.com, one of Jimmy’s pals made a disparaging comment about Jay Z to Ty Ty. And when the 5 foot 4 Ty Ty responded – things really popped off.

The insider explained, “It was total chaos – Ty Ty got stomped out right there in the store – I though they were going to kill him. And when Ne-Yo tried to break it up, he got stomped too … someone had their foot on Ne-Yo’s neck!!!”

No word on the extent of injuries that either man faced. But our source claims that neither appeared to suffer serious injuries. Representatives for Jay Z and Jim Jones were not available for comment at the time of publication.

December 22, 2008

"Could Ashanti be the next celebrity to pose nude in Playboy Magaine. Well that’s what MediaTakeOut.com is hearing. For months, we’ve been hearing that Playboy has been pursuing Ashanti – even offering her a six figure contract to pose.

And last Friday, Ashanti confirmed that she’s considering it. MediaTakeOut.com learned that duing an interview with NY radio personality Angie Martinez, Ashanti claimed that she was “considering” Playboy’s offer.

But Ashanti did leave a few caveats. Ashanti explained, “I would never get naked and show everything. But you know how they do campaigns where it’s tasteful … artistic.”

Ashanti … our advice to you. Get that paper while their still offering it…"

the homie radiance put me on to this.. i really like it. and the video concept is cool and simple. i'm gonna be following this dude a lil sumthin..

he kinda sounds like buddens (VOICE-WISE), and that may work against him since buddens is an effin beast and all. you know, on that gorilla black and biggie shit (lol, womps).. but i don't know enough about this dude to pass judgement.

December 21, 2008

"NEW YORK (Reuters) - Warner Music Group ordered YouTube on Saturday to remove all music videos by its artists from the popular online video-sharing site after contract negotiations broke down.

The order could affect hundreds of thousands of videos clips, as it covers Warner Music's recorded artists as well as the rights for songs published by its Warner/Chappell unit, which includes many artists not signed to Warner Music record labels.

The talks fell apart early on Saturday because Warner wants a bigger share of the huge revenue potential of YouTube's massive visitor traffic. There were no reports on what Warner was seeking.

"We simply cannot accept terms that fail to appropriately and fairly compensate recording artists, songwriters, labels and publishers for the value they provide," Warner said in a statement.

YouTube is hugely popular, with more than 100 million viewers in the United States alone in October, according to comScore, a Web audience measurement firm.

Warner Music, home to artists including Red Hot Chili Peppers and rapper T.I., was the first major media company to negotiate a deal with YouTube in 2006. Its executives believe that deal gave the site legitimacy in the eyes of search giant Google Inc (GOOG.O) which bought it soon after for $1.65 billion.

As part of the original 2006 negotiation, Warner, Universal Music and Sony Music all took small stakes in YouTube pre-acquisition and profited when the Google acquisition closed.

The music companies typically get paid a share of any advertising revenue associated with the video and a per-play payment for every video viewed. The per-play fee is usually a fraction of a penny and with millions visiting YouTube everyday it was all expected to add up to a substantial amount.

But a source familiar with Warner Music's talks said the amounts it has been receiving from YouTube were "staggeringly low".

YouTube representatives did not immediately return calls for comment.

YouTube executives have spent most of 2008 stepping up efforts to develop revenue streams on the site partly in a bid to keep content partners happy. It has been in long negotiations with Warner on how best to split revenues until things came to a head in talks on Friday.

"Despite our constant efforts, it isn't always possible to maintain their innovative agreements," YouTube said in a statement on its blog about difficulties of music licensing. "Sometimes, if we can't reach acceptable business terms, we must part ways with successful partners."

YouTube also has agreements with Vivendi's (VIV.PA) Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music. Warner's move could see them also making tough demands for higher fees.

The demands could leave YouTube in a difficult position as it tries to balance the need to pay a reasonable fee to content partners, including TV and movie companies, and also generate enough return on the substantial investment needed to keep streaming millions of videos around the world."

"The hip-hop police apparently still keeps tabs on Jim Jones. Dipset’s capo was slated to make an appearance at the Roots’ “Okayplayer Holiday Jammy” at New York City’s B.B. Kings Blues Club last night (12/18), but was denied entrance by the venue’s security.

A recent YouTube clip pictures an agitated Jones and his entourage surrounded by B.B. Kings security and several police officers. The clip shows Jones yelling at security while being removed from the premises.

“You made it worse, you dick head,” Jones shouted at one security guard before pulling out his camera phone. “I got you on my radar. Let me get a picture of this fat bastard. Let me make you safe. Don’t touch me. Don’t touch me, you pussy!”

Jones was likely on hand to reciprocate the love he received from the Roots’ Questlove. The funky drummer recently predicted that Jones will be 2009’s biggest star in a DJ Semtex interview." [XXL MAG]

Elliott Wilson told me all of this went down while I was downstairs enjoying Bilal's amazing set at the show. Damn they did Jimmy dirty upstairs.. I didn't even recall seeing pigs around like that. I think Questlove's thoughts on Jim doing it big in '09 are pretty accurate; went to his "Hip Hop Monologues" listening event and I was genuinely impressed with his transformation. He has really come into his own.. And this joint he has on PRAY IV REIGN called "My My My" about Stack Bundles made me cry, straight up. I have had some really great conversations with Dr. Ben and the Hip Hop Summit ladies about him a lot too; definitely looking forward to watching him make moves next year.